2017 January 1

EPA amends RMP Regulations The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency finalized a rule amending its Risk Management Program (RMP) regulations  to reduce the likelihood of accidental releases at chemical facilities and improve emergency response activities when those releases occur. The rule is the latest in a series of actions the federal government has taken to improve chemical process safety, assist local emergency authorities in planning for, and responding to, accidents, and improve public a wareness of chemical hazards at regulated sources.   Mathy Stanislaus, EPA's Assistant Administrator for the Office of Land and Emergency Management said, “These changes are intended to protect the lives of emergency responders and the public, while preserving information security.”   This rule will help prevent chemical accidents, such as the explosion in West Texas in 2013, and their devastating effects. While numerous chemical plans are operated safely, in the last 10 years more than 1,500 accidents were reported by RMP facilities. These accidents are responsible for causing nearly 60 deaths; some 17,000 people being injured or seeking medical treatment; almost 500,000 people being evacuated or sheltered-in-place; and more than $2 billion in property damages. For more information about the final amendments to the RMP rule: http://www.epa.gov/rmp/final-amendments-risk- management-program-rmp-rule   Pay attention when Crossing Streets... Parking lots, roadways and other congested areas can be especially dangerous during the winter months due to the increased hazard of slippery spots. Besides the hazard of slips and falls, pedestrians must remember that vehicles may take a lot longer to stop.  So please remind friends, family and co-workers to pay attention when crossing the street, parking lot or congested areas and NEVER TEXT while crossing roadways or walking across a parking lot. Be a defensive walker and a defensive driver. To keep yourself safe, stay alert and keep an eye on what is going on around you at all times.   Drivers: Be extra careful when backing up and reduce your speed in parking lots to avoid a fender bender. Keep your focus on the road and be on the lookout for pedestrians that might not be paying attention to their surroundings. Resist the urge to make a call or send a text and JUST DRIVE!   January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month Glaucoma is called "the sneak thief of sight" since there are no symptoms and once vision is lost, it's permanent. As much as 40% of vision can be lost without a person noticing.   Currently, more than 3 million people in the United States have   glaucoma (and approximately 120,000 are blind from disease which accounts for 9 to 12% of all cases of blindness). The National Eye Institute projects this number will reach 4.2 million by 2030, a 58% increase.   Glaucoma is the leading cause of preventable blindness. Moreover, among African American and Latino populations, glaucoma is more prevalent. Glaucoma is 6 to 8 times more common in African Americans than Caucasians.   Over 3 million Americans, and over 60 million people worldwide, have glaucoma. Experts estimate that half of them don’t know they have it. Combined with our aging population, we can see an epidemic of blindness looming if we don’t raise awareness about the importance of regular eye examinations to preserve vision. The World Health Organization estimates that 4.5 million people worldwide are blind due to glaucoma. The best way to protect your sight from glaucoma is to get a comprehensive eye examination, annually. Then, if you have glaucoma, treatment can begin immediately.